I read a blog post today from July 30, 2007. I titled it “Running Down a Dream”. It was about a long run that Kim and I did. Someone had stolen our water from our first stop and it was one of the hottest and humid nights we had run in. However, we finished and we were a little made about it. I talked about how you have to get a little made at being unhealthy to run down the dream of health because it never comes to you while you are standing still. You have to run, or bike or swim…something to it. You also have to make good food choices along the way. That seems like a lifetime ago.
This week I am closer to 330 than I am 230 and I am on blood pressure meds and gout meds. I have been a little upset about it, but not mad. Last night I kind of got mad. Angry that my friends were talking about doing a big bike ride and they were standing just beside me, but not including me in their conversation. They know I am not in good enough shape to bike 40 miles. I am not that person that ran down the dream of good health. I have been busy running down educational dreams and career dreams and family dreams, neglecting my health and weight. I am not mad at my friends for talking about it in front of me, I am mad at me for allowing this to happen.
Five or so years ago when I started my diet I did so because I did not want my best to be behind me. Meaning that I did not want the peak of my athletic and health goals to be the glory days of high school football, I wanted more. A short 5 years later (including a new city and two years of law school) later, my glory days are still behind me, just a little more recent past. I ran two marathons, three triathlons, and numerous other races, but I am only in good enough shape to talk about those things with my friends, not actually do them. That sucks.
The bulk of my weight loss came from the HMR program, and it did help me get the weight off quickly, but I don’t think I can do that again. I am combining concepts from many previous diets into a new healthier eating plan. The pillars of my new plan are 1) Limited Choices (I am shopping for a breakfast and lunch meal of the week. 2) Portions (I am making dinners that include a small protein a carb and vegetables) 3) Simplicity (nothing fancy) and finally 4) Daily exercise (probably no triathlon coming anytime soon, but perhaps some running races.
I am 35 and should be in pretty good health. I have no major knee, hip, or back problems. The only thing that stands between me and my health goals is disciplining me to plan meals and carve out the time to exercise. It is no surprise that this is not happening while I carry on doing the same old thing. It is time to start another journey and run down this dream before it runs out of sight.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Long Update
It has been some time since my last update, but it has been a great time. We went on vacation a couple of weeks ago to Seagrove Florida. Seagrove is along the famous 30-A on the other side of Seaside from Destin. We love the area, and I have to say that it was the best weather ever for vacation. The humidity was low the water was perfect, more calm and clear than I have seen in the 12 years we have been going. We had a wonderful time and celebrated Kim's birthday while we were there.
The end of the summer is here. Orientation starts next week and I have become somewhat reflective of my time with the girls this summer. I am not sure that I have ever felt so under qualified and over matched as I have been this summer. Not that it has not been a blast, but I had hoped to really savor each moment, but spent most of the day just trying to survive and keep them from hurting themselves or each other. I had grand visions of reading time, craft time, library trips, and just overall smooth days, what I got was a messy house and a lot of trips to the pool. But each week there was at least one moment, a golden nugget of time that both girls were at peace and I was able to be in the moment, and we just had fun, either wrestling or just having them share my lap while we watched Barbie and whatever her latest adventure was, or another episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Overall I wouldn't trade it for the anything.
School starts a week from today. I am as ready as I can be. Everyone says that law school is a lot of work and pressure and I am sure it is, but I think I am putting more pressure on myself than anything else. Since I am starting so much later in life than most I feel I have a lot of ground to make up. I don't want to just go to law school, I want to do REALLY well at law school. I am not sure that I would work for a big firm, but I want to do well enough to have lots of choices when I graduate, and I know this first semester goes along way in sitting the pace. I will try to keep the blog somewhat updated during school, but no promises.
The end of the summer is here. Orientation starts next week and I have become somewhat reflective of my time with the girls this summer. I am not sure that I have ever felt so under qualified and over matched as I have been this summer. Not that it has not been a blast, but I had hoped to really savor each moment, but spent most of the day just trying to survive and keep them from hurting themselves or each other. I had grand visions of reading time, craft time, library trips, and just overall smooth days, what I got was a messy house and a lot of trips to the pool. But each week there was at least one moment, a golden nugget of time that both girls were at peace and I was able to be in the moment, and we just had fun, either wrestling or just having them share my lap while we watched Barbie and whatever her latest adventure was, or another episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Overall I wouldn't trade it for the anything.
School starts a week from today. I am as ready as I can be. Everyone says that law school is a lot of work and pressure and I am sure it is, but I think I am putting more pressure on myself than anything else. Since I am starting so much later in life than most I feel I have a lot of ground to make up. I don't want to just go to law school, I want to do REALLY well at law school. I am not sure that I would work for a big firm, but I want to do well enough to have lots of choices when I graduate, and I know this first semester goes along way in sitting the pace. I will try to keep the blog somewhat updated during school, but no promises.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Under a Month
Orientation for law school starts Aug 12. I am not quite at peace about it, but I am feeling pretty good. I am trying to really enjoy the calm before the storm. It is hard to believe my time as a stay-at-home dad is almost over. I sat out on the deck with Kiley a couple of nights ago listening to the crickets while Kim tucked Robyn in. We talked about how much fun we have had this summer and I was trying to prepare her a little for when school starts for both of us, and how things would change a little bit. I was working on getting her excited about her school starting and I think she is more excited about just being around other kids her age, and not her little sister all the time. I think my biggest fear about law school, especially after this summer and knowing my tendency to be an extremist at whatever I do, is that I will balance life and not let these next three years of their lives slip away and not even realize it.
On a related note, our annual trip to Florida is next week. We leave Monday for a week in Seagrove, which is just outside Destin on 30-A. We usually go with Kim's family, but his year they are not going with us, just us and the sitter we are taking along so we can go out a couple of nights. We had considered not going this year but we decided it might be our last real vacation for the next few years. As matter of fact I was talking to my neighbor, who is a partner at the Rose Firm here in little Rock about it a couple of weeks ago. I was kind of probing him for information, they had just gotten back from vacation and I was telling him I was excited about our upcoming vacation, but that I was afraid it would be our last one for the next three years, with school and clerkships and all. I was really expecting him to say something like, don't worry you will find time to get away, or I am sure you can work in a vacation, but his response was not near as positive as I had hoped. He said, "Don't worry, if Kim is anything like my wife, they won't have any problem going on vacation without you." I am really going to soak up my vacation next week.
On a related note, our annual trip to Florida is next week. We leave Monday for a week in Seagrove, which is just outside Destin on 30-A. We usually go with Kim's family, but his year they are not going with us, just us and the sitter we are taking along so we can go out a couple of nights. We had considered not going this year but we decided it might be our last real vacation for the next few years. As matter of fact I was talking to my neighbor, who is a partner at the Rose Firm here in little Rock about it a couple of weeks ago. I was kind of probing him for information, they had just gotten back from vacation and I was telling him I was excited about our upcoming vacation, but that I was afraid it would be our last one for the next three years, with school and clerkships and all. I was really expecting him to say something like, don't worry you will find time to get away, or I am sure you can work in a vacation, but his response was not near as positive as I had hoped. He said, "Don't worry, if Kim is anything like my wife, they won't have any problem going on vacation without you." I am really going to soak up my vacation next week.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
HOT HOT HOT
Well summer is here and the kids and I have been going to the pool just about everyday. I have to say it is a little weird being the only guy at the pool with a bunch of kids and women. Robyn has no problem making friends (or stealing toys) depending on how you want to spin it. I have had the opportunity to see Robyn and Kiley both lose all fear of the water. Kiley has no reservations about jumping off the diving board, going down the BIG slide, and today I taught her to do an underwater flip. She is really doing well. Robyn is still using the inflatable arm things, but she is doing great too. She jumps in and kicks to where ever she wants to go and slides down the the small slide in the big pool with no problems. I have found that the pool is a great way to get the kids tired during the day and I get to work on my tan.
Today was FREE MOVIE day at the Rave theater, they were showing Surf's Up. I remember my mom taking my sister and I to the free movie days back in Jonesboro when we were kids. Back then you had to take in bottle tops from Coke products and they showed old Elvis movies or things like Escape from Witch Mountain or the Apple Dumpling Gang. I don't remember there being a lot of kids there back in the day. I am not sure if the fact we are in Little Rock is what makes the difference or if the times have changed, but I think every kid in Little Rock was at that movie today. There were big yellow school buses and there were small 15 passenger vans. and there were a bazillion cars. Kiley and Robyn were well behaved and did great, but I was a little nervous around all those kids, and once again I believe I saw one single other adult male.
School feels like it is going to start very soon. I got the orientation schedule last week and I have to report on August 12. It looks like they teach you how to do law school for the week before it actually starts. We have to go the 12th and 13th and then they give us two days to work on our assignments, and then we go on Sunday the 16th for four hours and then we go another two days and get off another day to work on assignments and then we get one day off and the regular schedule starts. I am getting excited and nervous as it draws closer. I hope Kiley and Robyn have enjoyed all this time I have been able to spend with them, because I have a feeling life is going to change pretty drastically starting August 12.
One last pretty cool thing we have gotten in the habit of doing most afternoons after Kim gets off work is to go down to the River Trail and ride bikes. I get the honor of pulling Kiley and Robyn in a little pull behind. There are a couple of serious hills we go over and I am not in near as good of shape as I have been at times. The cool thing is that the girls can tell when I am struggling up the hill (maybe the sweat is falling down on them) and they start yelling "GO DADDY GO" That has been the coolest part of the summer.
Today was FREE MOVIE day at the Rave theater, they were showing Surf's Up. I remember my mom taking my sister and I to the free movie days back in Jonesboro when we were kids. Back then you had to take in bottle tops from Coke products and they showed old Elvis movies or things like Escape from Witch Mountain or the Apple Dumpling Gang. I don't remember there being a lot of kids there back in the day. I am not sure if the fact we are in Little Rock is what makes the difference or if the times have changed, but I think every kid in Little Rock was at that movie today. There were big yellow school buses and there were small 15 passenger vans. and there were a bazillion cars. Kiley and Robyn were well behaved and did great, but I was a little nervous around all those kids, and once again I believe I saw one single other adult male.
School feels like it is going to start very soon. I got the orientation schedule last week and I have to report on August 12. It looks like they teach you how to do law school for the week before it actually starts. We have to go the 12th and 13th and then they give us two days to work on our assignments, and then we go on Sunday the 16th for four hours and then we go another two days and get off another day to work on assignments and then we get one day off and the regular schedule starts. I am getting excited and nervous as it draws closer. I hope Kiley and Robyn have enjoyed all this time I have been able to spend with them, because I have a feeling life is going to change pretty drastically starting August 12.
One last pretty cool thing we have gotten in the habit of doing most afternoons after Kim gets off work is to go down to the River Trail and ride bikes. I get the honor of pulling Kiley and Robyn in a little pull behind. There are a couple of serious hills we go over and I am not in near as good of shape as I have been at times. The cool thing is that the girls can tell when I am struggling up the hill (maybe the sweat is falling down on them) and they start yelling "GO DADDY GO" That has been the coolest part of the summer.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Time Flies
It seems like just yesterday I was updating my blog and had great intentions of updating at least weekly, well that was over a month ago! I don't understand how stay at home moms have time to go to the bathroom, much less update blogs. I have managed to keep Kiley and Robyn alive and in pretty good health over the last month. We have had some adventures for sure, but nothing too exciting. I think after a while you begin to take the funny moments and crazy things in stride and don't even realize how funny they are. Like Robyn learning how to use the word "mad" and telling Kim that "Daddy mad at me", and Kim telling Robyn that she is sure I am not, and then Robyn saying "OK, I'm mad at Daddy!" Then Kim asking why? and Robyn in a very deep possessed by demonic forces type voice telling her that "I WANT CEREAL BAR"
I have also been wittiness to Kiley turning into Hannah Montana this summer. Every time I turn around she is singing her desires to me, from what she wants for breakfast, to where she wants to go, sometimes I feel like I am in a bad musical.
Of course we have mad our share of messes in the house from glasses and light bulbs that get dropped, to spills,and stains. It's hared to keep up with them all the time.
I have not worked out near as much as I have wanted to, but last week was good I weighed and had lost about 12 pounds since the last time I had weighed, so at least I think I am eating better. With less than three months to go before law school starts I am beginning to think I may not make my goal of lowest weight ever, but if I could just lose 25 or so I think I would be happy. It goes and comes, but I guess it is something I will always struggle with.
I have also been wittiness to Kiley turning into Hannah Montana this summer. Every time I turn around she is singing her desires to me, from what she wants for breakfast, to where she wants to go, sometimes I feel like I am in a bad musical.
Of course we have mad our share of messes in the house from glasses and light bulbs that get dropped, to spills,and stains. It's hared to keep up with them all the time.
I have not worked out near as much as I have wanted to, but last week was good I weighed and had lost about 12 pounds since the last time I had weighed, so at least I think I am eating better. With less than three months to go before law school starts I am beginning to think I may not make my goal of lowest weight ever, but if I could just lose 25 or so I think I would be happy. It goes and comes, but I guess it is something I will always struggle with.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Long Week
I am not exactly sure what happened this week, all I know it things seemed pretty normal and then BAM a couple of things lead to a couple of bad KIDS, Ok not bad, just highly emotional. And I said long week, but really just last couple of days, and some of it may be my fault. I had a lunch appointment yesterday with one of the leaders at a church we are thinking about attending, so I got one of our friends to watch Kiley and Robyn for a couple of hours while I had lunch. I knew it would be pushing Robyn's nap time but it was gonna be worth it. When I went to pick them up they were both in a great mood and had fun and I got a good report. On the way home Robyn feel asleep, we are talking 10 minutes at most, but sure enough I got her home and she would not take a nap. At this point I need to tell you that I value you nap time at a greater worth then diamonds or gold! I'm serious, it is MY time to read or blog or whatever. Well I stood outside Robyn's room for an hour putting her back in bed every time she got up until she out lasted me. I just decided to let her stay up and go to bed early. (During our play time she decided that piggy back rides are much more fun when she jumps from the couch to my back from 5 feet away when I am not looking, but that is a story for another day)
Kim had gotten a chicken pot pie from Fresh Market, which is usually a winner, and all I had to do was stick it in the over at 4:30 (I set the alarm on my phone) About 4:45 the fire alarm was going off in the house, and this was a first not only does the alarm sound, but we have a little voice saying in a clam tone "There is a fire, please leave the house" So next thing I know Kiley and Robyn are on the front porch yelling back into the house that I need to come out because the fire trucks will be here soon! I told them that it was just an accident and evidently I was supposed to have put the pot pie on a pan so the crud didn't leak down into the burners, IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY GAVE YOU DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX.
So Kim gets home and we sit down to eat and the pot pie taste like crap, Kiley starts by saying she doesn't like it, but she doesn't like most things when she is tired and I eat some of mine and it taste like that put too much of some seasoning that I can't quite pick out , but I am willing to eat it. Kim finally says she is ready to order pizza, but instead she made breakfast for dinner and I mowed the yard and we were ready for the kids to go down early. One problem was that the few bites of the pot pie Robyn and I are did not agree with us. She was up till about midnight crying and trying to poop, and about the time she settled in the cramps in my stomach got me up and I was up for awhile, and stayed close to the toilet (if you know what I mean)
So today, Kiley wakes up over an hour early and Robyn soon followed, they are taking their naps now and am going enjoy the silence....
Kim had gotten a chicken pot pie from Fresh Market, which is usually a winner, and all I had to do was stick it in the over at 4:30 (I set the alarm on my phone) About 4:45 the fire alarm was going off in the house, and this was a first not only does the alarm sound, but we have a little voice saying in a clam tone "There is a fire, please leave the house" So next thing I know Kiley and Robyn are on the front porch yelling back into the house that I need to come out because the fire trucks will be here soon! I told them that it was just an accident and evidently I was supposed to have put the pot pie on a pan so the crud didn't leak down into the burners, IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY GAVE YOU DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX.
So Kim gets home and we sit down to eat and the pot pie taste like crap, Kiley starts by saying she doesn't like it, but she doesn't like most things when she is tired and I eat some of mine and it taste like that put too much of some seasoning that I can't quite pick out , but I am willing to eat it. Kim finally says she is ready to order pizza, but instead she made breakfast for dinner and I mowed the yard and we were ready for the kids to go down early. One problem was that the few bites of the pot pie Robyn and I are did not agree with us. She was up till about midnight crying and trying to poop, and about the time she settled in the cramps in my stomach got me up and I was up for awhile, and stayed close to the toilet (if you know what I mean)
So today, Kiley wakes up over an hour early and Robyn soon followed, they are taking their naps now and am going enjoy the silence....
Friday, April 17, 2009
Another Season of Life
Since my last post I have moved to a new city (Little Rock), decided to go to law school (UALR Bowen School of Law), and started my gig as a stay-at-home dad until school starts in the fall. Life as usual has been hectic and I am not sure I have lost a pound since I last posted, although I am pretty sure I have not gained more than 5 or six in the last 5 months. The blog is going to be taking a little twist, it started as just a log of my physical fitness journey, and I do intend to use it as such, but in the future I will also share what I am doing to prepare for law school over the summer, and how things are going on a daily basis being a stay-at-home dad.
On the fitness side of things I have done a lot of cool stuff as far as marathons and triathlons and such over the last couple of years, but as of this week I was really happy to just run 4 miles at a 12 minute pace. I can get in some weights and some treadmill each week and that is about it, so I don't see anything in my future much longer than a 5 or 10K, at least for the next 3 years or so. Kim and I are on Weight Watchers together, she is trying to lose 8 pounds before I lose 30, I am not sure how that is fair, but I am up for the challenge.
When we moved to Little Rock Kim immediately started her job with the Chamber of Commerce, so I had Kiley and Robyn everyday all day. After the firs day I started looking for a mother's day out program. But I decided to join the gym, they offer childcare while I workout, it was a good trade off. The day we went to sign up I took the girls to Chick-fil-A for breakfast and to play on the playground area while I read the paper and drank coffee. About 5 minutes into the front page Kiley comes out and tells me that Robyn has pooped. I asked her how she knew and she told me she could see it! I knew this was BAD, but didn't know how bad. When I got Robyn out of the play area (I really hope they clean them each day) and got her to the bathroom I realized I had left the wipes out of the bag. I stripped Robyn and threw away some of her clothes there and just got her home to the bath and re-dressed. After that Kiley, Robyn, and I went to join the Little Rock Racquet Club, where we went into a very nice office and filled out paper work. My intention was to get all joined up and then go drop them at the child care area and then go workout. While the lady left the room to get our I.D. cards Kiley, said, "Dad I have a brown spot on my shirt", I asked her if it was chocolate and she lifted it up to her nose and said, "No it's POOP!, I said are you sure she said yes, and I asked how she got poop on her shirt, (which I had not noticed for 3 hours) and she said she "must have gotten too close when she tried to help Robyn) So there I am in the office at the Racquet Club, about to go workout and drop a kid with poop on her shirt off to play with other kids in the childcare area, trying to get my 4 year old to stop yelling, "I have poop on my shirt!" so that no one else will know that I am a horrible dad....We went home, but we did go back, with a new shirt on.
On the fitness side of things I have done a lot of cool stuff as far as marathons and triathlons and such over the last couple of years, but as of this week I was really happy to just run 4 miles at a 12 minute pace. I can get in some weights and some treadmill each week and that is about it, so I don't see anything in my future much longer than a 5 or 10K, at least for the next 3 years or so. Kim and I are on Weight Watchers together, she is trying to lose 8 pounds before I lose 30, I am not sure how that is fair, but I am up for the challenge.
When we moved to Little Rock Kim immediately started her job with the Chamber of Commerce, so I had Kiley and Robyn everyday all day. After the firs day I started looking for a mother's day out program. But I decided to join the gym, they offer childcare while I workout, it was a good trade off. The day we went to sign up I took the girls to Chick-fil-A for breakfast and to play on the playground area while I read the paper and drank coffee. About 5 minutes into the front page Kiley comes out and tells me that Robyn has pooped. I asked her how she knew and she told me she could see it! I knew this was BAD, but didn't know how bad. When I got Robyn out of the play area (I really hope they clean them each day) and got her to the bathroom I realized I had left the wipes out of the bag. I stripped Robyn and threw away some of her clothes there and just got her home to the bath and re-dressed. After that Kiley, Robyn, and I went to join the Little Rock Racquet Club, where we went into a very nice office and filled out paper work. My intention was to get all joined up and then go drop them at the child care area and then go workout. While the lady left the room to get our I.D. cards Kiley, said, "Dad I have a brown spot on my shirt", I asked her if it was chocolate and she lifted it up to her nose and said, "No it's POOP!, I said are you sure she said yes, and I asked how she got poop on her shirt, (which I had not noticed for 3 hours) and she said she "must have gotten too close when she tried to help Robyn) So there I am in the office at the Racquet Club, about to go workout and drop a kid with poop on her shirt off to play with other kids in the childcare area, trying to get my 4 year old to stop yelling, "I have poop on my shirt!" so that no one else will know that I am a horrible dad....We went home, but we did go back, with a new shirt on.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Journey
Journey has been the theme of my blog for some time now. Losing weight and keeping it off is a constant battle. I had great success at first and have put on some weight over the last year, that I am working at getting back off, but overall feel good about the understanding I have gained about myslef throughout the process.
I have realized that focus is one of the greatest keys for me to do anything well. When I was able to focus on weight loss it went great, when I through in school, work, running for city-council, and applying to law school, somethings got less focus than others. To a great extent grades were the primary focus right after work and family. I am happy to let you know that the grades have paid off and today I was admitted to law school. UALR Bowen School of Law in Little Rock is a great fit for my family and looks like the best overall choice when we put in the many factors we are considering. I tell you this becasue it is an important day, but one that came becasue of this weight loss journey.
I remeber running with my friend Greg one day and telling him how losing weight and getting in better shape made me feel like I could do so much more. It helped me the confidence to go back and finish up my bacholors degree, through that journey I was encouraged by numerous professors and friends to conisder law school. Today is not the end of my health journey, but I think it is a mile post that must be recognized. Because of my health journey my legal journey starts in August.
I have realized that focus is one of the greatest keys for me to do anything well. When I was able to focus on weight loss it went great, when I through in school, work, running for city-council, and applying to law school, somethings got less focus than others. To a great extent grades were the primary focus right after work and family. I am happy to let you know that the grades have paid off and today I was admitted to law school. UALR Bowen School of Law in Little Rock is a great fit for my family and looks like the best overall choice when we put in the many factors we are considering. I tell you this becasue it is an important day, but one that came becasue of this weight loss journey.
I remeber running with my friend Greg one day and telling him how losing weight and getting in better shape made me feel like I could do so much more. It helped me the confidence to go back and finish up my bacholors degree, through that journey I was encouraged by numerous professors and friends to conisder law school. Today is not the end of my health journey, but I think it is a mile post that must be recognized. Because of my health journey my legal journey starts in August.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Down a couple
I have not had the chance to really blog that I thought I would, but I have lost a couple of pounds since last I blogged.
I graduate from Arkansas State University on Saturday with my B.A. in Philosophy. I have taken 12-15 hours each semester and 6-9 in the summers for the last year and a half to finish up my degree. To say the least it has taken some time and energy that I would have normally put into working out or eating well. Between school, work, family, and applying to law school I have been a little busy. But my last final is Thursday and I should have a little more time to put into getting more healthy. It is a few years later than I had hoped, about nine to tell you the truth, but better late than never. The plan is to start law school in the fall, again, better late than never. I am going to take this time between now and August to work on getting into the best shape of my life. I hope to start law school at my lowest adult weight and to have finished a half-ironman just before the start of school. So 3 pounds down towards that goal and just another 45 or so to go!!
I graduate from Arkansas State University on Saturday with my B.A. in Philosophy. I have taken 12-15 hours each semester and 6-9 in the summers for the last year and a half to finish up my degree. To say the least it has taken some time and energy that I would have normally put into working out or eating well. Between school, work, family, and applying to law school I have been a little busy. But my last final is Thursday and I should have a little more time to put into getting more healthy. It is a few years later than I had hoped, about nine to tell you the truth, but better late than never. The plan is to start law school in the fall, again, better late than never. I am going to take this time between now and August to work on getting into the best shape of my life. I hope to start law school at my lowest adult weight and to have finished a half-ironman just before the start of school. So 3 pounds down towards that goal and just another 45 or so to go!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
UPDATE
Do you want my really good excuses as to why I have been out of touch for some time now? Well I have some really good ones, but I won't go into detail here, only that I have been super busy and blogging has not made my top 50 on the priority list in a while, unfortunatly neither has working out or eating well.
I started this whole weight loss journey around 380 pounds, my lowest was around 240 back in April or so of 2007. Today I weigh 280, so that is a net loss of 100 pounds and a horrible relization that I have gained about 40 pounds. I can't tell you how angery I am at myslef for allowing this to happen, but the main thing is that I start the journey of getting it off. Speaking of journey I was reading back through some of my older post and realized how much I wrote about being on a journey. I can tell that lately I feel like I am either there or not and that there is no in between. This is the kind of thinking that has me do super good one week and lose 10pounds, only to gain it back the next weekend.
I am on a journey and I have some new benchmarks to help me realize my weight goals. My first step is to just get back in the gym at least 2 times a week to do some lifting. My second mandate is to run or bike at least 3 times a week. My third and probalby most important step is to take in 2000 or less calories a day. By sticking to these simple priorities I hope to start losing weight weekly once again. I also plan to set a race goal soon, perhaps the Country Music 1/2 marathon (this was my goal two years ago when I started this journey) in April and some 5ks along the way.
The main thing is that I can no longer lose integrity with myslef by failing to follow through on the one aspect of life that should be a very high priority and that is health. I hope to have some good weight loss news by this time next week and maybe even report a workout or eating update along the way.
I started this whole weight loss journey around 380 pounds, my lowest was around 240 back in April or so of 2007. Today I weigh 280, so that is a net loss of 100 pounds and a horrible relization that I have gained about 40 pounds. I can't tell you how angery I am at myslef for allowing this to happen, but the main thing is that I start the journey of getting it off. Speaking of journey I was reading back through some of my older post and realized how much I wrote about being on a journey. I can tell that lately I feel like I am either there or not and that there is no in between. This is the kind of thinking that has me do super good one week and lose 10pounds, only to gain it back the next weekend.
I am on a journey and I have some new benchmarks to help me realize my weight goals. My first step is to just get back in the gym at least 2 times a week to do some lifting. My second mandate is to run or bike at least 3 times a week. My third and probalby most important step is to take in 2000 or less calories a day. By sticking to these simple priorities I hope to start losing weight weekly once again. I also plan to set a race goal soon, perhaps the Country Music 1/2 marathon (this was my goal two years ago when I started this journey) in April and some 5ks along the way.
The main thing is that I can no longer lose integrity with myslef by failing to follow through on the one aspect of life that should be a very high priority and that is health. I hope to have some good weight loss news by this time next week and maybe even report a workout or eating update along the way.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It Has Been A While
Things have been a little crazy lately and I am not sure they are getting less so. I had a great loss this week. I was down over 10 pounds. It is amazing what happens when you eat right and work out every day. Kim and I have decided to do a triathlon in September in Conway so I knew I had some getting in shape to do. I still have over 30 pounds to lose before I get down to where I would like to be, but I feel that I am finally back on the right track, now if it wasn't for leaving for vacation on Saturday I might have a couple of good weeks in a row. I am going to try hard to actually lose weight on vacation for the first time ever. I will let you know how it goes.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Another Real Quick Update
I am still alive and working on this weight thing. I have been really too busy the last couple of months, but that should let up a little after Monday, so I will have much more time to devote to a fall race and getting some of this 30 pounds or so I have gained off.
Thanks for keeping up with me. This is a journey, and right now I am having to go up a hill.
Thanks for keeping up with me. This is a journey, and right now I am having to go up a hill.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Very Quick Update
Sorry I missed last week, but I was not overly excited to announce the largest one week gain in history, well maybe not history, but it was bad. After almost a week in beautiful Malibu California I gained 7.9 pounds. Not to fear I weighed today and lost 6 of it this week, so I am back on the right track!!
Working out has been limited to walks around the neighborhood chasing Kiley on her bicycle. With my current scheudule that is about the best I can hope for.
Working out has been limited to walks around the neighborhood chasing Kiley on her bicycle. With my current scheudule that is about the best I can hope for.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Down 2
It's not 8, but losing two pounds this week does not disappoint me. I ate poorly last weekend and did not get in near the exercise that I had hoped, so I was hoping to just not gain. I was pleasantly surprised to be down.
On another note, I saw a friend today at a store who complimented me on "how skinny" I am. Not that I mind being encouraged, I like it as matter of fact, but in my mind my first response was "if you only knew". To her I had lost all this weight, run a couple of marathons and a couple triathlons and was doing exactly what I needed to do. But from my perspective I am not working out hardly at all, cheat much more than I used to, and feel like not only I could fall of the wagon, but that wagon would then fall on top of me. I don't see her often and from her perspective I had this weight thing beat. A similar conversation happened this morning between Kim and her mom, it was not about weight, but about relationship. She told Kim how wonderful she thinks our marriage is how, in her words "have it all together" That has really stuck with me today. Let be me the first to tell you, Kim and I have a wonderful marriage, but are far from having "it all together" but like my friend in the store who I don't see often and her mom who lives in Chattanooga, the perception can be better than reality.
I think I have thought that at some point I would have it all together on this health and weight thing, that I would not have to go to meetings or not worry about pigging out and starting a downward spiral of gaining weight, but that is not reality. I think reality is no one ever has anything "all together" we are all on a journey and for some it's weight for others it something different, and to aspire to "having it all together" someday is setting yourself up for failure. I hope I can just enjoy the journey and do better tomorrow than I did today.
On another note, I saw a friend today at a store who complimented me on "how skinny" I am. Not that I mind being encouraged, I like it as matter of fact, but in my mind my first response was "if you only knew". To her I had lost all this weight, run a couple of marathons and a couple triathlons and was doing exactly what I needed to do. But from my perspective I am not working out hardly at all, cheat much more than I used to, and feel like not only I could fall of the wagon, but that wagon would then fall on top of me. I don't see her often and from her perspective I had this weight thing beat. A similar conversation happened this morning between Kim and her mom, it was not about weight, but about relationship. She told Kim how wonderful she thinks our marriage is how, in her words "have it all together" That has really stuck with me today. Let be me the first to tell you, Kim and I have a wonderful marriage, but are far from having "it all together" but like my friend in the store who I don't see often and her mom who lives in Chattanooga, the perception can be better than reality.
I think I have thought that at some point I would have it all together on this health and weight thing, that I would not have to go to meetings or not worry about pigging out and starting a downward spiral of gaining weight, but that is not reality. I think reality is no one ever has anything "all together" we are all on a journey and for some it's weight for others it something different, and to aspire to "having it all together" someday is setting yourself up for failure. I hope I can just enjoy the journey and do better tomorrow than I did today.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Down 8!!
Well the first week back on the wagon was a good one. I did not get near the physical activity that I wanted to, but did lose over 8 pounds. I hope to plan 5 or 10K or a bike race or something I can start training towards, because it is apparent that without a goal I won't get out and do much.
I know it is just the first week and I am still almost 30 pounds from my lowest weight of last year, but I feel like I am on the way, and that it will come off. I have not written about the possibility of an Ironman in a while, but it is something you have to register for a year in advance, and looking at my schedule for the year I am realizing that I might be able to start training at the first of 2009 and would like to at least think about doing one in July or August of 2009. That is along way away, but this years is just not a possibility with all that I have going on, a half marathon is probably the most I can hope for this year and some 5ks, but if things work out like I hope, I will have the first part of 2009 with much more spare time.
By the way I think I am beating Debbie in our newest challenge!!
I know it is just the first week and I am still almost 30 pounds from my lowest weight of last year, but I feel like I am on the way, and that it will come off. I have not written about the possibility of an Ironman in a while, but it is something you have to register for a year in advance, and looking at my schedule for the year I am realizing that I might be able to start training at the first of 2009 and would like to at least think about doing one in July or August of 2009. That is along way away, but this years is just not a possibility with all that I have going on, a half marathon is probably the most I can hope for this year and some 5ks, but if things work out like I hope, I will have the first part of 2009 with much more spare time.
By the way I think I am beating Debbie in our newest challenge!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thanks
I appreciate so much the support and encouragment from you guys that read the blog as I start the HMR program again. Even though I weigh 100 pounds less than the first time I started, I am dissapointed that I have allowed myslef to gain back over 35 pounds, and not fit into some of the pants I could fit into at this time last year.
I have had a great week and look forward to my official weigh in next Thusday so that I can report a loss. I have to say that the accoutability and the structure built into the program really help me. I am hoping to do a 5k in the next couple of weeks just to get back in the swing of racing and try to work in a half marathon for the fall. I also hope the weather makes it easier to ride my bike soon.
I have had a great week and look forward to my official weigh in next Thusday so that I can report a loss. I have to say that the accoutability and the structure built into the program really help me. I am hoping to do a 5k in the next couple of weeks just to get back in the swing of racing and try to work in a half marathon for the fall. I also hope the weather makes it easier to ride my bike soon.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Here we go...AGAIN
Well the slow methodical gain of weight has to stop. I am up over 30 pounds from my lowest weight which was around this time last year. I have still lost over 100, but I have to stop this silly bleeding now. As I posted I started Weight Watchers and I really thought that would work,and I think it if i just wanted to maintain, it would, but I need to lose about 50 pounds, and I know how to do that, I have done it before with the HMR program and as most people tend to do, when in doubt go back to what is familiar. I have swallowed my pride and emailed my old weight loss class instructor and have committed to getting back in a week from today. With all the other things I have going on like, finishing my degree (done in Dec) college ministry, my job, being a dad of two small children, and most recently being appointed by the Gov. to the Quorum Court, I have not had a lot of time to concentrate on how I eat or even think about working out very much.
I weight tomorrow and Debbie and I start over on our race to lose 30 pounds, I hope to at least make it competitive, I am striving to find that contentment of being in the journey that I talked about at this time last year, but for some reason it has been hard to find. I hope to start riding my bike again on Sat mornings soon and running more, but in the meantime I just need to control my eating and know that I am doing all I can do to make sure that part of the formula is successful.
Up and downs, thanks for coming along
I weight tomorrow and Debbie and I start over on our race to lose 30 pounds, I hope to at least make it competitive, I am striving to find that contentment of being in the journey that I talked about at this time last year, but for some reason it has been hard to find. I hope to start riding my bike again on Sat mornings soon and running more, but in the meantime I just need to control my eating and know that I am doing all I can do to make sure that part of the formula is successful.
Up and downs, thanks for coming along
Monday, March 10, 2008
It's Official
I owe Debbie www.debbiecook.blogspot.com a CD of her choice. We made the bet late last year, and the first one to 30 pounds won. She did great and I pretty much sucked it up. I went up I went down and in the end I think I gained 2 pounds over the same period of time that she lost 30. Wow that's depressing me just typing it out. But hey life has been pretty hectic and I have been really pre-occupied and..I have more excuses if you want to hear them. But I know you don't and I don't really either. I am trying to eat well and exercise, because next week we are going skiing and I bet I don't eat real well in Colorado, so I will have to make up for that when I get back. Last weekend I traveled to Nashville and didn't do real well there either. I try to update and report in good and bad and this is kinda of bad. But hey I have been lifiting weights a lot and getting a lot stronger and have more defenition in the upper body, now if I could just get that little film of fat that cover my whole body off I could actully enjoy all that work in the weight room.
Double or nothiing??? Come on Debbie!!
Double or nothiing??? Come on Debbie!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
I like this Weight Watchers thing
I lost 7.8 pounds in my first week of Weight Watchers. I have to say that it is a little more than I thought I would lose and I am sure it will slow down, but I am excited about it. It is good to be back in the swing of going to a meeting and having the accountabiltiy factor. I hope to cook a WW receipe of poppy seed chicken tonight and the whole family can enjoy it. Even with Kim and I going out of town last weekend I was able to stay on program and eat out the whole weekend.
I really feel that this is a lifestyle thing and would not be hard to stay on long term. Kim is really an example to that, she lost all like 15 pounds she gained afer both kids and continues to go to the meeting once a month and weigh in and stick to the points program pretty well to maintain her weight. She has been doing it for over 5 years or so now.
The weight lifting is still going well 2 days a week and I am trying to get in more running or biking, but the weather has really been bad , and I have not been terribly motivated or had a ton of time, but once momentum starts in the right direction it makes it a lot easier to keep it going and doing the right things to stay in shape.
I really feel that this is a lifestyle thing and would not be hard to stay on long term. Kim is really an example to that, she lost all like 15 pounds she gained afer both kids and continues to go to the meeting once a month and weigh in and stick to the points program pretty well to maintain her weight. She has been doing it for over 5 years or so now.
The weight lifting is still going well 2 days a week and I am trying to get in more running or biking, but the weather has really been bad , and I have not been terribly motivated or had a ton of time, but once momentum starts in the right direction it makes it a lot easier to keep it going and doing the right things to stay in shape.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Big Weight Announcement
Today I made a prettty big decesion. I have joined Weight Watchers. You are probably wondering why I would do that with the success I was having and had with the medically supervised program. 1) I am taking over grocery shopping and dinner making at the Shumpert house and Kim is on Weight Watchers and Kiley and Robyn need to start leaning to eat healthy, more so Kiley right now, but it will be better for us to all be on the same page. 2) Those of you who know my extremist personality know that I am all in or not, and I loved the shakes only and it helped me get where I felt my weight is vey managable, but looking for the long run I really like the WW plan and think it might fit better into my physicaly active lifestly by allowing points and more food for more exercise. 3) I wanted the accoutability of a group and going into weigh each week like the other program, but did not want to spend the extra money for the other program. 4) As much as I like shakes and prepackeded meals, there is real food in the real world and I have got to learn to maintain and lose weight with it everday. 5) I needed to do something to shake things up becasue the 20 pounds I have gained are turing the corner and looking more like 30, it was time to make a drastic step to stop the bleeding and regain control, and like any good addict I realized I needed help. 6) After I get to my goal at WW I can get my own class and launch my motivatianl speaking and book deal. Ok so maybe number six is not a good reason, but I am being transparent here.
My first weigh in is next Friday that is a week from Friday, I will let you know how it goes.
My first weigh in is next Friday that is a week from Friday, I will let you know how it goes.
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